The idea is to build a canopy outside the metal fabrication and joining program that will allow students to get some welding practice outside.

The proposal, which was passed 9-0, gave officials approvals to seek estimates on the cost.

“It ties in with the lack of space at Comp. They have been squeezed in welding,” Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr. said.

Faced with a waiting list of students who want to join the department, also known as vocational, educators have been trying to find ways to expand programs and add new ones with the limited space in the school. There are concerns about budget cuts that could make it more difficult to fund new programs.

The idea of adding an outdoor welding area is also sound educationally because it would mirror the job of professional welders, Rege said.

“People in welding are not always working inside,” he said.

Kenneth R. Widelo, director of career technical education, said students can practice welding outside, but it is difficult to schedule because classes cannot be held outside in the rain or snow.

The program is getting more and more crowded mostly because students are showing a bigger interest in it, he said.

The school typically accepts about 200 students for the career technology programs, figuring there is space for about 170 in the nine programs and typically 30 children change their minds and switch to a traditional academic program.

But this year attrition has been lower and more students have wanted to attend the programs so classes are more crowded. Widelo said the canopy will give the students a little more space.

Before students enter high school, counselors explain to them that they must have good grades, high attendance and a clean discipline record to be accepted into career technology. This year, there are 35 freshmen who followed all the rules but are on a waiting list because there just isn’t space for them, he said.

“We can’t accommodate all the students we would like to,” he said.

The options for the welding department were to build an addition, which would be expensive; re-locate the custodians and tear down walls to expand the classroom space which would also be expensive and complicated because there are some load-bearing walls, or build the canopy, which is the least expensive option.

The School Committee has also voted to add a new program in design and visual communications. If funding is available it will it will begin in the fall and take about 20 students the first year.